Lawsuit charges DTM Corporation

From: Helmut Keidl (midco@execpc.com)
Date: Sat Jun 22 1996 - 00:27:14 EEST


NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release
Contact: Peter N. Jansson
                Jansson & Shupe, Ltd.
                Racine, Wisconsin
                (414) 632-6900

Lawsuit Charges DTM Corporation and
BFGoodrich With Fraud and Coercion

Midwest Composite Technologies, Inc. of Hartland, Wisconsin, announced
today that it has filed suit against DTM Corporation, of Austin, Texas,
and its parent, The BFGoodrich Company.

The suit, filed Monday, June 17, 1996 in Milwaukee's federal court,
charged DTM and BFGoodrich with fraud and coercion in the marketing of
nylon powder used in selective laser sintering (SLS). SLS is a process
used for rapid creation of prototype parts, including nylon parts.
Midwest alleges violations of federal and state antitrust laws.

DTM sells and services its "Sinterstation 2000" systems used in SLS, and
sells powders for SLS. BFGoodrich acquired control of DTM in 1989,
stating its interest in marketing powders. Midwest, among other things,
makes prototype parts using a "Sinterstation 2000" system purchased from
DTM.

Midwest's charges are counter charges in a patent infringement lawsuit
filed by DTM last October, based on a DTM patent involving nylon powder.
Midwest alleges that the patent is invalid and that BFGoodrich and DTM
are using it to monopolize the niche market for nylon powder used in
SLS.

The suit charges DTM and BFGoodrich with fraud in that they "willfully
withheld" pertinent information from the Patent Office to secure
allowance of the DTM patent.

Midwest alleges that DTM resells nylon powder, a readily-available
commodity, at "exorbitant prices," and that DTM and BFGoodrich used the
patent to "coerce" Midwest to buy powder from DTM rather than elsewhere.

The alleged coercion also involves DTM's refusal to provide parts and
service for Midwest's "Sinterstation 2000" system unless Midwest
purchases nylon powder from DTM. Midwest's suit seeks monetary damages
and injunctive relief.

--
Helmut Keidl                                 (414) 367-8254
Midwest Composite Technologies, Inc.         midco@execpc.com
                                 http://www.execpc.com/~midco



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